Interior automobile folding table



Jan. 13, 1959 N. BELDEN INTERIOR AUTOMOBILE FOLDING TABLE Filed Sept.17, 1957 Z n %Io u NAB/NE BELDEN BY h lw'a wwfl A TTORNEYS 2,868,600INTERIOR AUTOMOBTLE FOLDING TABLE Nadine Belden, Sacramento, Calif.Application September 17, 1957, Serial No. 84,511

2 Claims. 01. 311-92 This invention relates to an interior automobilefoldmg table and has for its object the provision of a table which canbe used and carried in an automobile.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a folding tablehaving a novel type of leg construction, which legs are locked in openposition by special braces.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a folding tablehaving braces for locking legs in open position, which braces becomeconcealed when the legs are folded.

I am aware that somechanges may be made in the general arrangements andcombinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the detailsof the construction thereof without departing from the scope of thepresent invention as set forth in the following specification, and asdefined in the following claims; hence I do not limit my invention tothe exact arrangements and combinations of the said device and parts asdescribed in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to theexact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be mademanifest in the following detailed description, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention,wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the erect table.

Fig. 2 is a perspective top view of the folded table.

Fig. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the folded table.

Fig. 4 shows how the table is used in an automobile.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a front plate of a table leg, shown partly insection.

Fig. 6 is a front view of said front plate.

Fig. 7 is a front view of a brace.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the lower portion of Fig. 9 is a plan view of aleg casing; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the top of a leg assembly.

Referring to the drawing in detail, my interior automobile folding tableconsists of a top having a main section 10 and may have one or twolongitudinally disposed side leaves 11 connected to the main section byplurality of hinges holding said leaf or leaves horizontally andpermitting them to swing upwardly and over the main section 10 when thetable is folded. Each leaf 11 is of less width than one half of thewidth of the main section 10, but said leaves 11 are of the same lengthas said main section 10. The hinges connecting said main section and theside leaves are preferably of the concealed type; such as the so calledSoss invisible hinges.

The table has four legs 12 secured in pairs by cross members 13 attachedto the upper ends thereof. The legs 12 are hingedly connected to theunderside of the main section 10 so that they freely swing from theextreme position, when erect, toward the center of the table whenfolded.

Due to the fact that said legs when folded on the main section extendover the middle thereof in direction tosaid brace.

United States Patent 17. Each of the latter is formed with an. inwardlydi- 'ice ward each other, said legs are offset, as shown in Fig. 3 i

to allow them to assume folded position.

The legs 12 are preferably constructed of an extruded channel 15 ofaluminum alloy having a back 16 and sides rected groove 20 at its freeends, extending the entire length of the leg.

A thin plate 23, preferably made out of steel, is inserted into saidgroove to close said casing. The plate 23 is formed with a hinge 25 atthe top. .A portion of the top of the casing 15 is cut off toaccommodate said hinge, as shown at 26, in Fig. 10, so that when theplate 23 is inserted in said casing the top thereof is level with saidhinge. The hinges 25 extend toward the center of the table, and when thelegs 12 are folded, said hinges are covered by said legs. The casing 15and the plate'23 may be secured to each other by various means, or maybe held together by friction therebetween.

The plate 23 is provided with a narrow longitudinal central slot 28which extends from the lower end of said plate upwardly toward themiddle of said leg and terminates in a pocket 29. The latter is formedby bending the central portion of the plate inwardly and slightlydownwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to form a shoulder 30.

The slot 28 extends into the pocket 29 to a certain extent, as shown inFig. 6.

hingedly connected to the underside of said central section 10 acomparatively short distance from the leg 12.

The brace 35 is preferably made of a strip of metal which may becorrugated longitudinally for the purpose of rigidity.

The free end of the brace 35 is provided with a pair of oppositelylocated notches 36 so as to form an inverted T-shaped anchor 37 having atransverse bar 38 and a stem 39. The latter is of such width as to bereadily admitted by the slot 28. The stem 39 and the bar 38 are bentoutwardly to permit the same to slide freely in said slot 28.

The transverse bar 38 is inserted through the slot 28 prior to theattachment of the brace 35 to the central section 10. When the leg 12 isin erect: position, the anchor 37 is lodged in the pocket 29 thuslocking the leg and corresponding brace in erect position. To fold theleg it is necessary to spring the same outwardly and to slide the brace35 downwardly. The anchor 37 slides in the slot 28 toward the free endof the leg 12, until said brace is fiat on the under surface of thecentral section 10 and the leg is on said brace.

While the present invention is especially adapted to use in automobiles,it should be understood that is not restricted thereto and that it isdesired to cover all forms and modifications within the spirit and scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a foldable table leg comprising a substantiallyrectangular channel consisting of a back, two sides and having its frontopen, said channel having a longitudinal groove extending the lengththereof formed at the free end of each side, said groovesfacing eachother, a narrow plate inserted in said grooves and extending the lengthof said channel for closing the same, said plate having a hinge at itstop, said channel having a cut away portion to accommodate the hinge andto have the tops of the channel and said plate level for supporting saidtable, said plate having a longitudinal slot in the lower portionthereof, said plate having a pocket formed by bending the same inwardlyat a sharp angle and then outwardly, said slot extending into saidpocket; of a brace for holding said leg in the erect position comprisinga metal narrow plate having a hinge at its top and an anchor at itslower end, said anchortbeing adapted to slide in said slot and to restin said pocket for holding said leg in the erect'position. I

2. A leg assembly for a foldable-table having a top, comprising asubstantially rectangular channel having a back, twosides-randhaving'itsfrontopen, said channel having a longitudinal grooveextending thelength I-thereof .formed at the. ,free endv of:each:side,said, grooves facing each other; a narrow plate insertedinsaid grooves and extending the. length ofusaid channel for closing thesame; said plate and rsaidtchannel-being secured to each otherby'friction therebetweenand said plate beingslidableinsaid grooves;saidplateihavi'ngfa=hinge at the top by which the vsanre isfisecured,tothe itable top, said channel having. aportionthereof cutaway toaccommodate lsaid' hinge so that the top of-;said table, rests on thechaninel;ssaid plate thavingza longitudinal slot in the lower portionthereof and a pocket formed at the upper end of said slot by bending thesame inwardly at a sharp angle and then outwardly, said slot extendinginto said pocket; and a brace for holding said leg in erect position,comprising a narrow metal plate having a hinge at its top by which thesame is secured to the table top, and an anchor at its lower end adapted.toslide in said slot and to rest in said pocket for holding said leg inthe erect position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSAnderson Jan. 3, 1956

